Peoria Man Charged in 2009 Murder

Authorities said Jesus Zuniga, 28, of the 700 block of East Frye Avenue in Peoria, was the third man charged in the 2009 murder of Carlon Ewing, 24.
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Chicago Police Department

CHICAGO — A "chief enforcer" for the Latin Kings ordered fellow gang members to shoot a man in 2009 as part of "Hood Day," Cook County Prosecutors said.

Peoria resident Jesus Zuniga, 28, was charged in a murder prosecutors said he helped commit more than three years ago in the East Side. He appeared in Cook County Bond Court Monday for his role in the killing of 24-year-old Carlton Ewing.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Dickler said Zuniga declared Aug. 17, 2009, "Hood Day," a day when Latin King members seek out rivals on the street and shoot at them.

Zuniga gave one of his two co-defendants a gun and ordered the lower-ranking gang members "to do his dirty work" and "shoot at rivals," Dickler said. Ewing had been mistaken for a rival gang member when Zuniga gave the order to shoot, she said.

Ewing, a passenger in the back of the car, reportedly told his friends he had been hit in the back, cops said. Police said his friends drove several blocks before they could get help.

Ewing, reportedly of East Hyde Park, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn but later died, police said.

Afterward, Chicago Police issued a community alert with surveillance photos of the suspected men. It took three years to charge them.

Police said Juan Macias, of the 10100 block of South Avenue N in East Side, was charged with first-degree murder on Sept. 2, 2009. Macias was 21 at the time of his arrest. Robert Schultz, of the 9500 block of South Avenue L, was charged with first-degree murder on Jan. 31, 2010. He was 18 at the time, police said.

Police arrested Zuniga at his home in Peoria on Friday. On Monday, Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois, Jr. ordered him held without bail.

"You are a dangerous individual, and you participated in these acts," Adams said.